Normal intra-abdominal pressure is 0 - 5 mmHg. Pressures > 13 mmHg may be sufficient to restrict perfusion to the organs of the gut. If the abdominal compartment pressures is between 16-25 mmHg, hypervolemic volume expansion therapy can be used to maintain the perfusion pressure gradient for the abdominal organs. When compartment pressures exceed 25 mmHg, decompression surgery should be considered to prevent organ damage.
Pressure may rise rapidly with active bleeding. Edema (which occurs with any ischemic insult) will generally result in a later rise in the pressure (27 hours or more post insult).